Simply The Best

The Woodfield Entertainers May Show is back…and it was great fun !

 What could have been a morbid concept – featuring the work of the stars we lost in 2023 – instead became an enormously entertaining tribute evening, with skilful impressions and performances.

The hall was laid out in cabaret style, with tables nicely decorated with flowers and snacks. The stage was brightly lit and decorated. Props and sets were used well and moved efficiently. Good, appropriate costumes helped recreate the celebrities. Very good lighting and efficient music completed the mix.

Val Anscombe was our charming compere who gave sparkling introductions to each scene.

Kenny Menet-Hawkins and Simon Gadd opened the show with Mark Sheehan’s Hall of Fame. This was followed by a fun and filthy Les Patterson sketch, superbly presented by Neil Edwards.

Jo Knox gave a fine rendition of Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U; and then Louise Chaplin astounded us with Septic Peg’s (Mystic Meg) amazing predictions.

A Friends sketch commemorated Matthew Perry. I’ll be There for You got a bit overpowered by the backing music. Louise & Neil plus cast gave an enthusiastic finish to ACT I with Fairytale of New York, by Shane MacGowan,

Kenny played a very convincing Lily Savage (but with better legs) in a hilarious Blankety Blank sketch, supported by members of the cast.

Then came the stunning Tina Turner Medley, with great singing and precision dancing from Denise Hillier, Jo Knox, Ligia Schuurman & Melanie Elgar. Very slick presentation and the high spot of a fine evening.

Denise and Neil danced a waltz that celebrated both Len Goodman and Burt Bacharach.

The lively finale, S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Movin’ remembered Paul Cattermole and was well synchronised & vigorously performed by the whole cast. And for an encore, we had Tina Turner’s Simply the Best…a fitting and fabulous finish to the evening.

Mel has created an excellent cabaret show…a huge effort, but very ably supported by her choreographers Amelee Hamache and Laura Hillier, her crew and a cast who all sang/danced/acted with great enthusiasm and talent.

Thank you for yet another joyful evening. 

 

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